This 4th of July weekend I smoked a lot of cigars, but the cigar that stood out more than the others for me was the La Flor Dominicana TAA. So much so, that this morning I grabbed a handful of smokes from LFD to light up today. The first cigar I picked up was the L300 but I already reviewed that in the past, so I went to plan B, which is he DL 654. If there is one thing La Flor Dominicana is known for, it is their use of Ligero.
Cigar: La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 54
Size: 654 (Toro)
The Look: Packaged in cabinet style boxes, the LFD Double Ligero has a distinct look to it. Their oily wrappers have a serious brindle effect and this can be attributed to how the wrappers are massaged to bring out the oils of the cigar and in the process giving them their Maduro appearance. The singular band that adorns the cigar can easily be confused for a dual band with the signature LFD front and center and double ligero under neat. The cigar has a hefty weight to it with a well packed foot and no soft spots.
The Notes: The aroma off the foot is quintessential La Flor Dominican with a nose of figs and molasses that is so intoxicating I enjoy it a bit longer than socially acceptable. The cold draw of the cigar has the same notes as the aroma off the foot, although less potent. On the first light there is some subtle molasses note with an abundance of pepper on the nose.
The first third of the LFD DL 654 has notes of figs and molasses as the dominant note, with some subtle spice that grows in intensity as the cigar progresses especially on the retrohale which also offers up a sweetness.
The second third of the La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero builds in intensity and the flavor profile becomes more complex. The stick serves up a chewy mocha sweetness with touches of figs and molasses. While the retrohale of the cigar continues to have some sweetness and pepper, there is an espresso component present as well.
Entering the last third of the DL 654 the dominant note is a rich molasses with touches of fig, cedar and coffee with the latter being especially noticeable on the finish. The retrohale of the cigar is spicy, but it never becomes overpowering as there is some espresso present as well.
The Finish: Many cigar geeks I speak to look at cigars being made in the Dominican Republic to be too mild, and in some cases a Dominican cigar that is labeled full-bodied pales in comparison to a cigar made in Nicaragua. The La Flor Dominicana is the least Dominican, Dominican cigar. To me, this is a compliment and isn’t meant to be a slight to the island or the company. The more LFD cigars I smoke, the more I consider them to be in my list of preferred smokes. If people asked what’s good, instead of what’s new this would be my answer.
Score: 92
Price: $9.39 / $165.99
La Flor Dominicana DL 654
La Flor Dominicana DL 654 Foot
La Flor Dominicana DL 654 Burn
